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Typhoon Haiyan Made Me Cry

I think I cried at least thrice for the past week. The aftermath of Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) is too much to bear. It didn’t only shook the Philippines but also the world. That is how nature with all its beauty and splendor can also unforgiving in its rage and fury.

Victims of Typhoon Haiyan /Yolanda (All photos from the internet)

The death toll keeps on rising and my Facebook wall is filled with sad sad updates. I wanted to help but I cannot because I’m out-of-the-country and I’m very limited with my internet connection. And so I just get updates either from Myanmar locals or foreign backpackers I met along the way.

Internet in Myanmar is shitty slow and I don’t have an access to CNN or BBC. But I cry knowing that the places hardly hit by Typhoon Yolanda are places I’ve been to and places where I have dear friends and loved ones.

I cried because I lost some friends and loved ones.

I cried because I have friends who lost their families, homes and livelihood.

And I cried the most when I heard other nations help the Philippines. I cried more when people, most of whom haven’t seen my dear country the Philippines, would feel sorry about the death and disaster that Haiyan brought.

And I cried again earlier on flight FD 2756 on my seat when the flight attendant announced that there would be a collection of donations for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda. I saw the Red Cross donation box being passed from Row 1 until it reached my row- it is filled with Dollars and Bahts. People helping people, foreigners giving and helping in their own little ways. This warmed my heart and made me cry. 🙁

Red Cross Donation Box being passed by an Air Asia cabin crew in my Yangon-Bangkok flight

I’m sponsored by Cebu Pacific Air in all my local flights but let me take this time to thank Air Asia for this good thing that you have done for our country. Thank you for opening up opportunities for others to help.

Thank you to all who have helped my dear country, the Philippines.

To all my fellow Filipinos, please stop the blame game and let’s be proactive. Be strong. We cry today but we will rise again. Help is on its way. We are devastated today but we will rebuild. This is the perfect time to be united. Again, be strong.

Hi, Kuya James! It is where I met you – in your Tacloban Article in PAL magazine. And since then i was inspired to travel the Philippines with or without a companion. Sayang talaga idol, sa dami ng napuntahan ko hndi ko pa nararating ang Tacloban. At dahil kay Yolanda baka mas matagalan pa bago ko sya mapuntahan. Bangon Tacloban! May God bless us all.

So relieved to read that your aunt and your exnteded family are okay! I’m certainly sending up prayers that they stay safe, in addition to the constant stream of prayers for all the lives impacted by this tragedy. Be well, sweets, and thanks also for your efforts to make the donation process more personal and more informational for people. xoxo